I have a big birthday coming up in 2020 and I have decided that I want to go to Japan for my gift (myself and DH.) That said - even though I am the family trip planner, and have planned many trips both foreign and domestic - I am feeling overwhelmed with the idea of Japan. I’ve never been anywhere in Asia. I think I would like to do Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima. Looking at a two week trip (give or take).
Due to the nature of my job, the only times of the year I can go this year would be in May (after Golden Week - don’t want to be there then) or in November. Is one of these times better to travel there? Any suggestions, advice, tips, etc would be very welcome!
I would like to visit Japan also so interested in this post. It is on my D’s list for where she would like to study abroad.
Keep in mind the Olympics will be in Japan, so if you want to avoid crowds, please keep those dates in mind as well for 2020. I would like to visit Japan as well, but have decided I will go in 2021 and go to Europe in 2020.
Both times that we’ve visited have been absolutely wonderful. Both times, we were there in March, so I can’t specifically speak to either May or November, but for the places you’re aiming to see, neither month is likely to have extreme weather (though May is likely to be nicer).
The thing that made our visits blissful rather than stressful was that we were there to see our middle kid, who spoke passable Japanese on our first visit and was entirely fluent (as in, working as a translator) by our second. I’m not sure how well we’d have been able to explore as much as we did without him. Does somebody in your party speak Japanese? Or are you thinking about booking a guide for some parts of your trip?
DW and I spent a day in Tokyo on a layover from Seoul back to the States. Obviously not enough time to take in a big city, but were shocked by how Seoul seemed so much more modern than Tokyo. Because South Korea’s economic development is more recent, its infrastructure is cutting edge.
If you go to Japan a quick side trip to Seoul might be fun.
My favorite Asian visits have been:
Tibet
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Seoul, South Korea
Kathmandu, Nepal
Agree that South Korea is lovely and has some very nice hotels and attractions! We spent two weeks there. I’ve heard great things about Japan and am really looking forward to visiting it as well. My relatives have been to Japan many times and don’t speak any Japanese. They say it’s very easy to navigate in English as most young folks speak English, especially in the larger cities.
I read an old thread here on Tokyo and one of the concerns was that the OP did not speak Japanese; pretty much everyone said that it was not difficult to get by with only English (at least in cities).
S. Korea is also on my short list! I have relatives who have been several times and they love it. I’m hoping to go with them one day. So many places, so little time (and money!!! LOL)
We have traveled the world and Japan is best place we have ever been. We spent 10 days there last spring for the kids spring break.
We split our time between Tokyo and Kyoto, and spent 3 days at Tokyo Disney and DisneySea.
The Japanese people are the kindest, most polite people we have ever met and our family has traveled the world extensively.
Their culture of honor permeates every sacred ground and museum that you will visit.
I was worried about the language barrier. We tried to learn as many Japanese phrases as we could before we went. I personally think it is rude to visit a foreign country and just assume everyone will speak English. Maybe they do, but it goes a long way when you try to assimilate. We didn’t have any problems in this area.
When you go to DisneyWorld or Disneyland, they are often overrun with rude obnoxious families that try to break the line or want to complain about something to get something for free etc. a complete running of the bulls when the gates open. We are DVC members and I swear this gets worse every time we go.
When we went to Tokyo Disney and the gates opened, every person was in a single file line, no running, no screaming, no shoving. These wonderful people would put their hand out for us to go ahead of them when they saw we were American. (We only saw one other American family in the park the whole day).
I would totally move to Japan in a heartbeat. Smart, kind, polite, rule following culture. I totally get why they don’t allow immigration. They have a great thing going and don’t want it ruined.
My husband is Japanese. I lived there (in the 80s) for 3 years and brought home a big souvenir (my husband!).
Late May is a nice time…that’s when we are going next. November would be fine too…maybe getting a little chill in the air but still very nice…probs some color change still going on in earlier Nov. The Olympics will be in Aug primarily so no worries there.
You can fly into Tokyo and do a few nights there first. Ueno can be a nice, lively area to stay in with many museums, shrines and a big park nearby. Then hop on the bullet train for Kyoto and/or Osaka (a little over 2 hours). Osaka and Kyoto are quite close (may need to use a local train bx the two). Osaka is great for food. As far as other tourist sites, it’s not as “important” as Kyoto etc. But if you are a big foodie, it could be worth a night on your way to Kyoto. You will want to do a few nights in Kyoto. Kyoto has the more of the “ancient sites” and is FULL of shrines, temples and castles. Tokyo will be more of a big, modern city while Kyoto is smaller and more…well…old Japan.
You could hop the bullet train again to Hiroshima for maybe 2 nights (about a 3 hour train ride). It’s very interesting…but a little heavy. Then you get on the bullet train and head back to Tokyo.
That would be completely do-able in 2 weeks. You could even consider a one day side trip to Nara, another ancient, small site (about 1 hour local train from Kyoto) if comfortable. The bullet train (or any train) gets you places quickly and efficiently. These major cities will have lots of English speakers…it’s only out of the cities where you can struggle a bit with the lack of English speakers…or not being able to read any signs since the roman alphabet suddenly disappears. Major tourist areas cater to tourist worldwide in English. So it is not difficult to navigate … but you definitely want to do some reading about being in Japan so you are comfortable. Note that Japanese are friendly and helpful…and it’s very safe. It’s not uncommon for someone to go out of their way to get you somewhere…as you are a guest in their country.
And if you feel brave consider a Japanese Inn (ryokan) in Kyoto for the full experience. You would want to read up on them (including Japanese baths) but we had a friend go to Japan for two weeks and loved that experience.
Don’t hesitate to go to Japan. It’s a wonderful place to visit!
I’m also thinking of going to Japan, and I’d prefer to take an organized tour which takes care of the logistics. I had a tour to Italy with G Adventures and loved it, so I’m considering them for Japan. They have small groups and the tour leaders are very knowledgeable about local culture.
I haven’t been to Japan since my oldest was 12 and he’s 30 now. We were there for two weeks. It was an amazing trip and there were many things we didn’t see or do because it would have made our kids too grouchy. We flew into Tokyo, spent the night there then flew to the island of Shikoku where dh had a conference. The island is beautiful and off the regular tourist track. We had an interesting time taking a tram and bus to the Ino Town Paper Museum from Kochi as no one spoke English, but in fact we got there with no problems. I’m sure with google maps it would all be less intimidating. After our time on the island we went to Hiroshima. My SIL’s mother if from there (and witnessed the bomb) so we had local guides. The Peace Museum and assorted sites was a full day. Another day we saw the Itsukushima shrine, hiked up the mountain, fed the deer and ate mochi. We had great food - omelets from standup restaurants and department store basement food. From there we used Japan rail passes to head back towards Tokyo. Himeji castle is well worth the visit. The toy museum didn’t interest my kids much, but was cute. We went to the Bunraku theater in Osaka - you can get English translation headsets. We also went to Nara and visited temples there. We did not spend enough time in Kyoto and I think we did not see the moss garden due to lack of reservations, but it might have been lack of time. At the end of the trip we went to Nikko and Edo Wonderland which is pretty silly, but the boys loved it. (Theme park). We stayed at Ryokan’s twice - in neither place was any English spoken. Google translate would be a huge help, but we muddled along figuring out when we were supposed to eat and bathe. It did help that both times we got settled into them by professors dh knew. Japan was a fascinating combination of being both more modern than the US (way ahead of us on cell phones then) and traditional (plenty of older women wearing kimonos). One of the seminal trips of my kids’ childhood.
I lived in 3 different countries in Asia. Japan was one of the 10 countries I managed offices in Asia, so I visited Japan for work and pleasure countless times.
Japan must be listed under the definition of island-mentality, so I will say, you are correct to not underestimate the language barrier. That said, no matter where you are, if you are patient and keep asking around, someone is bound to help you. As suggested elsewhere, learn a few phrases to show some deference and effort. In Tokyo, it is very easy to find English speakers.
I enjoy the island of Hokkaido the most, but I have a snowboarder’s bias, so follow the lead from others on visiting Kyoto, etc.
Even if you only eat food to survive, please, please do yourself a favor and plan where to eat. Korean food is my favorite in the world, but it is hard to beat Japan as a foodie if you do your homework and get some local assistance. One of the best meals of my life was a $2 ramen late night with your own partioned curtains for slurping. One of my MBA buddies (a local) took me upstairs to this crowded, cheap dive, ticket machine and all. Umami heaven.
The food! How did I forget the food!
The street food in Japan is amazing! The Nakamise district in Tokyo has everything! takoyaki (sort of a fried dumpling/hush puppy thing with seafood and scallions inside). The best part is watching these things be cooked. The batter is poured in and then they are turned with chopsticks at a mile a minute. Hundreds of these things turned over in the pan in seconds.
Also loved the lobster on a stick. We found similar fare in Kyoto outside of the Fushimi temple.
I am not really an adventurous eater, but the street food in Japan in incredible.
I wish I knew how to upload a video on here. One of the teenagers that were with us on our trip made a video compiled to music. This thread is making me want to return!
First, I second foods in Japan are fantastic! Japan has as many Michelin starred restaurants as the entire top 10 in the world with Tokyo having the most and Kyoto the third most.
Personally I would visit in November over May as Kyoto’s famous fall foliage is the best during November.
Another personal opinion of mine - I would mix another country into your 2 week trip to keep a certain level of freshness with Japan while exploring another culture (9-10 days in Japan and 4 days or so in another country). You can do a big airlines hub city like Beijing, Shanghai or Seoul so you can get there from Japan then from there back to US conveniently.
Takoyaki is referred to as octopus balls! Lol. They are not “those balls” … but one of the main ingredients inside the ball-shaped morsels is octopus.
There is so much on-line info on Japan, cities, food, what to do…you can get yourself very educated. Note most food is cheap compared to Europe if you are willing to walk into restaurants not in hotels. Food at hotels is excellent…it’s just pricey bc you are paying for the English speaking staff and the space and time to linger. Most normal Japanese restaurants will be quicker affairs. The ones you linger at for full leisurely service will be expensive. So mix it up a bit. There is great food everywhere in Japan…even at the 7 11 convenience store (a must visit). Check out their selections of breads…curry bread, melon bread, bean bread…and squid on a stick with your beer…it’s all good.
DH and his bride spent their honeymoon in Japan this summer. They did Tokyo, Kyoto, side trip to Nara, all with minimal-to-no language fluency. They ate very well, even a dinner at a train station was terrific.
I have only been to Japan maybe 6 or 8 times, and all were business trips so I was mostly in meetings.
One thing that stands out in my mind is the peace museum in Hiroshima. I have occasionally said that every world leader should visit. Each of us ordinary people should also. It is very much worth a visit if you are even remotely nearby. While you are in Hiroshima you should also see the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, which is the bombed out ruins of the former Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall. It was a very heavy stone building that was immediately under the nuclear blast, and therefore was not blown sideways and destroyed in the blast. Of course it was heavily damaged and everyone inside died essentially instantly.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiroshima_Peace_Memorial
It is also worth seeing the one thousand paper cranes.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_thousand_origami_cranes
To me it looked like there were quite a bit more than one thousand of the cranes.
The other thing that stands out in my memory is Kyoto. There are many, many temples there. You cannot see them all but should visit a few. The Nijo castle in Kyoto is also very much worth a visit.
@bridgenail
Lol! Yes I know. That was my point about not being an adventurous eater. I hate calimari but I LOVE takoyaki! Loving hearing your experiences. We have only been there once so I don’t have nearly as much to add. Thanks for posting!
Many years ago I was in Japan, focusing on Kyoto and the Osaka area in November. The fall leaves were amazing. Look for a place called Arashiyama near Kyoto, which is great any season, but especially in fall. November will be cooler than May, but better to appreciate the colors and the hot ramen and udon, and hot baths.
Years later I went with the Japanese part of my family to Tokyo when they were there on an extended visit, and had a great time with the diversity of neighborhoods, the parks and temples. Relating to CC, we were doing college admissions that year for my twin girls, and my sis in law guided me to buy the appropriate little shrines to assure good college admission results. It worked!
However, I am far more a fan of the sights of old Japan and the incredible natural beauty in the small towns, mountains and temples, than I am of Tokyo, which is a very large and modern city.
My S, who loves Asian food has been going to Fukuoka recently and states it is his favorite city in Japan. We are more hole in the wall place eaters than 5 star restaurant sorts, and there is plenty of wonderful variety at many price points.
Regardless of where or when, take time to sit or walk slowly and appreciate detail, which is what makes Japan special. The care taken in a corner garden, the care to appreciate the changing seasons, the care taken in aesthetics of so many parts of life cannot be rushed to be fully appreciated.
DH has been to Japan 20+ times for business. I had the pleasure of going along to Kyoto about 5 years ago. What a lovely city! There are 17 World UNESCO sites in Kyoto. Some were in walking distance from our hotel, near train station. (We stayed at Grand Via, but El Inn nearby is a more affordable choice).
We were able to hop on the bus to see many other sights… I did so on my own one afternoon - for the more touristy routes there were English translations on the electronic location/stop board. We did Hiroshima as a day trip, but it was a very long day. On my own I took 2 half day bus tours.